Durham City is hoping for victory after a visit from the judges of a national horticulture competition.
Judges from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition were welcomed to the city by Durham County Council’s Civic Pride and Clean and Green teams and the Durham in Bloom partnership group.
This year, Durham City is competing in the prestigious Champion of Champions category, following a string of recent successes at the highest level, having won Gold Medals in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018, when it was also crowned Best Small City in the UK.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We were delighted to welcome the national Britain in Bloom judges to Durham. It was a real honour to showcase our magnificent floral displays around the city and for judges to meet the amazing partners and volunteers who work so hard to make Durham an attractive place to live, work and visit.
“Our Britain in Bloom entries are always a real team effort and I’d like to thank everyone who took part in all the environmental projects.”
Starting at the Town Hall, the judges viewed displays in numerous locations including Wharton Park, the Durham University Botanic Garden, Durham Cathedral and Palace Green, St. Cuthbert’s Hospice and Oswald Court; as well as inspecting the floral displays on the city’s various roundabouts and in the Market Place. The judges also met representatives of Gilesgate Primary School, local residents and community groups and the business community, including Durham Business Improvement District.
The results of Britain in Bloom will be announced in October.
For more information about Durham in Bloom, visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or follow the city’s campaign at www.facebook.com/durhambloom.
